Hayden finished second in Sunday’s race one at the four-mile Road America course in America and it was Elias’ turn to score the second spot in race two; marking the sixth podium result of the year for both Hayden and Elias.

After the strong weekend, Hayden and Elias continue to be in the championship hunt with four rounds and eight races to run, ranked third and fourth in the series standings respectively, with Hayden just 27 points out of the series lead and Elias five points behind his team-mate.

Although Elias – who competed with the Number #39 on his helmet in respect of fellow Spaniard Luis Salom, who lost his life in Friday’s Moto2 practice at the Catalunya MotoGP™ in Spain - was visiting Road America for the first time, he powered his Yoshimura Suzuki GSX-R1000 around the track in a time of 2:32.514 to qualify second, putting him on the front row. Hayden headed-up the second row, qualifying fourth with a time of 2:33.183.

In Sunday’s race one it became a three-rider battle for victory with Hayden in the mix. Hayden was right there at the finish in second, missing the win by just four-10ths-of-a-second. Elias finished a distant fourth, having experienced a traction issue.

Race two was also an exciting finish with four riders going at it to the end, including Elias and Hayden. Elias tried to make a move for the lead on the final lap, but couldn’t quite make it stick and instead finished second by a scant six-10ths-of-a-second. Hayden and his GSX-R1000 were also right there with the lead-group in a close fourth.

“Both races went really good,” said Hayden. “I struggled a little bit early in the weekend, but the team gave me a great bike for the races. I was up there battling for the win in both and I’m happy with that, but a little disappointed to get second and fourth. It was a fun race. I can’t remember the last time we had four riders battling for a Superbike win. I’m looking forward to Barber.”

For Elias it was another solid weekend and one which saw him come so close to another MotoAmerica victory.
“I had a traction problem in the first race, but in the second everything was normal and I could push,” Elias explained. “At first they were faster than me, but after some laps I improved and caught the leaders and fought for the last five laps. I knew my best opportunity to take the lead was in turn five. I decided to try at the corner, but I entered too fast and was passed again. I fought in the final meters and took second. It was good for the points. We are alive in the championship and I think we are working really well.”

Next up for the Yoshimura Suzuki team is Barber Motorsports Park this coming weekend, June 10-12th in Birmingham, AL.